Rory McIlroy in everyone's crosshairs as winds whip up for Friday

McIlroy's 65 was his lowest opening round in a major since shooting the same score in the 2011 US Open

Rory McIlroy on the fourth hole in the first round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club. 

TULSA, Oklahoma – A handful of players tried to make runs in the blustery afternoon at Southern Hills, but nobody could catch Rory McIlroy atop the leaderboard at the PGA Championship.

Justin Thomas birdied the difficult 18th hole to shoot 3-under 67 in the afternoon to climb into a tie for fourth place with Abraham Ancer and Matt Kuchar, two shots behind McIlroy’s sterling 65 and a shot back of two other morning rabbits Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge.